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United States

U.S. Beef A Hit For Japanese Major Leaguer Iguchi

According to Tadahito Iguchi, second baseman for the Chicago White Sox, U.S. beef gave him the power to launch his 1,000th career hit and score 14 homeruns in his rookie season.

“I was surprised to see how delicious American beef is,” Iguchi recently told Sankei Sports, a newspaper with a circulation of more than 1.3 million in Japan. “Particularly, sirloin steak is tender and richly-flavored and I like it.”

Iguchi, a native of Tokyo in his first season in the United States, makes a habit of eating beef shabu shabu, a Japanese hot pot meal, and gyudon, a rice bowl dish with thinly-sliced steak, when traveling with the White Sox. While in Chicago, he and his family also visit their favorite yakiniku restaurant to enjoy grilled U.S. beef.

“I have learned Texas and Kansas have local beef like Japan has local foods. I think it’s highly recommendable,” Iguchi said. “I want to eat U.S. beef even when I am back in Japan.”

Unfortunately, Japan stopped importing U.S. beef in December 2003 after the United States found its first case of BSE and has been slow to allow re-entry. So, it’s probably good that Iguchi-san will be tied up here in the states at least through the playoffs.

United States

U.S. Beef A Hit For Japanese Major Leaguer Iguchi

According to Tadahito Iguchi, second baseman for the Chicago White Sox, U.S. beef gave him the power to launch his 1,000th career hit and score 14 homeruns in his rookie season.

“I was surprised to see how delicious American beef is,” Iguchi recently told Sankei Sports, a newspaper with a circulation of more than 1.3 million in Japan. “Particularly, sirloin steak is tender and richly-flavored and I like it.”

Iguchi, a native of Tokyo in his first season in the United States, makes a habit of eating beef shabu shabu, a Japanese hot pot meal, and gyudon, a rice bowl dish with thinly-sliced steak, when traveling with the White Sox. While in Chicago, he and his family also visit their favorite yakiniku restaurant to enjoy grilled U.S. beef.

“I have learned Texas and Kansas have local beef like Japan has local foods. I think it’s highly recommendable,” Iguchi said. “I want to eat U.S. beef even when I am back in Japan.”

Unfortunately, Japan stopped importing U.S. beef in December 2003 after the United States found its first case of BSE and has been slow to allow re-entry. So, it’s probably good that Iguchi-san will be tied up here in the states at least through the playoffs.